The story
Le Nord-Pinus in Arles blends bistro comfort with refined Italian cooking on the bustling Place du Forum. Chef Antonio Altamura guides the kitchen after training alongside Iñaki Aizpitarte and Giovanni Passerini, plus residencies at Rome’s Drum Café and Mazarpane. His seasonal menus draw from both Italian traditions and southern French produce, treating local ingredients with clear-eyed precision. This steady hand at the stove recently secured the kitchen a notable mention on the Le Fooding list.
Lunch service often opens with a slab of chicken terrine accompanied by smoked anchovies and a bright giardiniera of cauliflower, beetroot, and carrot. The pumpkin ravioli glistens in a rich sage butter, then gains complexity from preserved lemon and shaved truffles. Dessert leans into classic techniques, featuring a cannoli stuffed with fresh ricotta, Sicilian clementine, ginger, and star anise. Each dish reflects an Italian kitchen that prioritizes texture and balanced acidity over heavy sauces.
Maja Hoffmann recently restored the property while preserving its legacy as a meeting place for writers and photographers like Cocteau and Picasso. Anglo-Nigerian designer Duro Olowu shaped the current interiors, layering huge mirrors, Murano glass sconces, and ceramic tiles echoing Van Gogh’s Starry Night. Cast iron radiators once doubled as plate warmers, and guests can take their seats at crisp white tables or step out onto the sunlit terrace overlooking the square.
Recognition
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